What caliber?

[40cal_joe]

I am thinking about getting in to USPSA and do not have a dedicated gun for that. What is the best caliber to use long term? I have loading equipment for 9, 40 and 45 so that is not a problem. I have been shooting Bullseye for quite a while shooting 45 of course.

The Springfield XDM Competition is what i am looking to buy just cant decide on caliber.

Thanks,

Joe

[a.roberts]

Get a .40.

Load it to Minor, shoot production.

Load it to Major, shoot Limited and L-10.

Mucho versatility.

[gunguru]

I can only talk for IPSC, not so sure about USPSA. In IPSC production, there's no major PF, only minor. So no need to go bigger than 9X19. Easier to control and less cost.

APPENDIX D4: Production Division

1. Minimum power factor for Major Not applicable

2. Minimum power factor for Minor 125

[lee blackman]

40 gives you the most options I reckon. Its a bigger hole than a 9mm on paper, but cheaper to load than a 45. You can load it to minor or major. You get more capacity than a 45, but less than a 9mm.

Why not a 38 super? You can meet major or minor with it, get more capacity than a 40 or a 45, and its cheaper to load as long as you already have the brass.. on the otherhand you don't exactly find .38 super on the shelf at walmart on the way to the match in the morning cause your forgot to order more primers, or that last minute order keg of powder didn't make it in time...

[Sarge]

Get a .40.

Load it to Minor, shoot production.

Load it to Major, shoot Limited and L-10.

Mucho versatility.

This is what is always recommended but in truth I only see the occasional Production shooter sporting a .40. Seems like almost everybody shoots a 9mm in Production.

If you think you are going to stay in Production for any length of time I would go 9mm since it is so much cheaper to load.

[MustangGreg66]

For what it's worth, I had the same idea when I started. I wanted a gun that I could shoot the most number of divisions with. I bought a Glock 35 and shot 40 minor for the first couple years. I dabbled in SS since I had a 1911, but then went back to the Glock. I was lucky enough to win a few GSSF matches and aquired a 34 in 9mm and now shoot that in production, mostly because the ammo (9mm) is a lot cheaper than 40.

I have shot some Limited with the 35 since and with the 34 shooting Limited Minor. If I was going to shoot Limited and Production each for half the year or something then maybe I'd stick with the 35 all year, but now that I have both guns, and reloading equipment for each, I can just setup each gun for the division they'll be shot in and not have to mess with swapping triggers, magwells ect when I switch divisions.

For you I guess it would depend on how much you plan to shoot in a year and if your budget is limited. Since 9mm is cheaper you can buy more bullets for less and get more practice in. Some say limited is easier to start in because you don't have to plan as many reloads and can focus more on the shooting aspect. I don't know if I agree with that, any division you're going to have to make a gameplan for a stage, but having more rounds in the mags definitly gives you more options.

Do you have any guns you could use now to start in USPSA and get an idea for it? A bullseye gun shooting in SS maybe or L10? Just to get your feet wet. Or see if you could borrow someone's setup for Limited or Production and see which division you like more.

[40cal_joe]

Thanks for the input gang. I do have a couple 1911's in 45 that I could use in SS and even a M&P 40c or revolvers that I could use just for fun. Budget is of course limited to a point otherwise I would just start building a custom 1911 with Caspian parts.

I have learned from my Bullseye experience that you can spend a lot of money finding the right gun just to settle on a custom build in the end. I chose the Springfield XDM Competition for a couple reasons.

1.) Relatively new gun that will likely retain its resale value down the road if I choose to build. Or just decide USPSA/IPSC are not my game.

2.) There are some good aftermarket parts available for it

3.) Cost

4.) Availability

5.) I like Springfield guns

I ordered the 9mm based on cost of operation and I have a bunch of Power Pistol and new 9mm Starline brass to use up.

Thanks again for the input. I look forward to learning more about this sport from this forum.

Joe

Now I need to change my user name!

[Torogi]

I was gonna ask if you reload or not. You could use your 45 for SS and use the fund for a press and roll your own ammo. Since you ordered a 9mm, and mentioned that you have powders and brass, you made a great choice! I know a few converts from G to XDm. Most seem to like the feel of the grip. If you need bullets, here is a good deal, and he has them on stock, Zero Bullets with Power Factor Shooting

Goodluck!

[gunguru]

I'm not a fan of "do it all" gun. One size fit all mean compromise, and compromise mean accepting to lose some performance in some situation. Can be good somewhere, but not in gun stuff.

I prefer to have a good gun for each, even if I need to restrict myself to one or two division.

The best gun will be the one that fit perfectly in your hand, giving you reliability and as much fun you need.

[motosapiens]

9mm is not really significantly cheaper to reload. maybe $2/hundred rounds in savings. Just skip starbucks on the days you shoot.

really, it doesn't matter at all. if you're SURE you're only going to shoot minor, and you want a specific gun just for that game, and you don't have any other reason to prefer 40 (easier brass or whatever), then 9mm makes sense. Most of us have at least some ohter factors to weigh into the decision.

[59Bassman]

While it's true that 9mm isn't much cheaper to reload, I think a good 9mm pistol is a fantastic first start, especially if you're not sure which game you want to play.

My CZ-75 Shadow is a competitive platform in USPSA Production, IDPA SSP & ESP, 3 gun/Multigun, and Steel Challenge. IMHO, trigger time in different sports can't help but increase a person's capabilities. I can travel with the gun and mags and buy affordable, division-appropriate ammunition at pretty much every WalMart and sporting goods store in the country.

I just got my first .40 again after a long time without one. I don't hate the caliber, but I will admit to preferring 9mm and .45 ACP. I think your XDm Competition in 9mm will be a fantastic platform to get started with, and one you probably will never outgrow regardless of what you ultimately get into.